é
i
a
;
i
q
t
;
'
A
[
:
2
NOTES OF.
SITES OF HURON VILLAGES.
IN THE
TOWNSHIP OF. TINY (SIMCOE COUNTY)
AND ADJACENT PARTS.
PREPARED WITH A VIEW TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF THOSE VILLAGES
‘VISITED AND DESCRIBED BY CHAMPLAIN AND
THE EARLY. MISSIONARIES, .
By ANDREW F. HUNTER, M.A.
(An Ajypendic to the Report of the Minister of Education.)
fe wu
&
scsi Pas VRS! nasa RENCE OLR ina ee Ce
ay SN 8 WA a
- NS Pe th ae RI Se ge ee Ear eS eee meee, ee re
eR gn ee = a ral
NOTES OF
SITES OF HURON VILLAGES
TOWNSHIP OF TINY (SIMCOE COUNTY)
AND ADJACENT PARTS.
PREPARED WITH A VIEW TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF THOSE VILLAGES
VISITED AND DESCRIBED BY CHAMPLAIN AND
THE EARLY MISSIONARIES.
By ANDREW F. HUNTER, M.A.
(An Appendia to the Report of the Minister of Education. )
/
TORONTO: A?
Warwick Bros. & Rurrer, Printers, etc., 68 and 70 Front St. W. /
1899, pi
a
~y
Q”
SSSA SRSoa SRA oe
a
To the Honorable G. W. Ross, LL.D.
In accordance with the desire of various persons interested in the
history and archeology of our Province, and more particularly of the
country of the old Hurons, I submit herewith my notes on Huron
remains in the Township of Tiny, which you have been kind enough
to undertake to print. While engaged in other pursuits, I devoted
considerable attention during the past twelve years to the collection of
information regarding the Huron predecessors of the white men in
this district, the results of which are partly included in the following
notes.
By your making provision for the publication of these notes, my
work becomes in some degree a part of the more elaborate system
carried on by Mr. Boyle of your department for the examination and
collection of aboriginal remains throughout the Province. In the
elucidation of this particular field, therefore, I trust these notes will
prove of value and interest.
I have the honor to be,
Yours respectfully,
A. F. Hunter.
Barrie, Ont., March, 1899.
LANES ON
|
oe
.
eee
rece
o*
oN
2"
> *e6 ~ "
. 55
é ewe
eae »
a"
|
INTRODUCTION.
The peninsula dividing Matchedash and Nottawasaga Bays from
each other forms the Township of Tiny, and is the most northerly
extension of land in Simcoe County. Occupying this northernmost
position, the township contains the spot, not yet satisfactorily deter-
mined, where Champlain and the early missionaries first landed when
they arrived in the country of the old Huron Indians. After long
voyages by canoe from Quebec, following the Ottawa and French
Rivers to Georgian Bay and then passing down the eastern shore of
the latter, they made their first halt somewhere on the north end of
the peninsula, having found there the settled Huron communities they
were seeking. With such historic associations as these, Tiny, first of
all the parts visited by these early travellers, deserves to receive atten-
tion in our endeavors to interp.et correctly their interesting narratives
and to identify the places where they sojourned,
The township extends in a south-easterly direction as far as
Waverley, where it is first touched by the Penetanguishene Road that
runs northward and marks the easterly boundary. This road, the
leading one in the district and the earliest constructed, divides it from
the Township of Tay, which lies along its east side for part of its
length. On the south side lies the Township of Flos.
Some of the physical features of Tiny are interesting. It is
crossed diagonally by four parallel ridges running almost north and
south. These ridges have varying heights in different parts of their
courses, but nowhere exceed five hundred feet above the present level
of Georgian Bay. Between the ridges lie wide tracts of lower ground ;
through these tracts flow the streams of the township, which are like-
wise parallel with each other and with the higher ground. When the
lake waters stood at higher levels than they occupy in recent times,
the ridges were islands; and around them one may now see wave-
worn cliffs, boulder pavements, occasional sand beds, and other similar
features common to old shore lines. In fact, there is perhaps no town-
ship in the province that shows more clearly or more abundantly the
effects of former lake action on its surface. This condition is traceable
more especially in the south-westerly corner of Tiny Here, in the
land bordering Nottawasaga Bay, from the southerly boundary of the
township as far north as Wyevale, there is an extensive belt of
boulders; and the chain of sand dunes of Sunnidale and Flos also
[5]
6
extends through the same tract, though the dunes decrease in size
towards the north. For these reasons, this tract was, for the most
part, not very s.itable for Efuron occupation.
Of the strean.:, the most important is the Wye, a branch of which
issues from Cranberry Lake. But its longer branch comes out of Orr
Lake and flows for some distance westwards through a tract of low-
lying, marshy ground, thus making, before the woods were cleared
and the ground thereby dried, a wide barrier along nearly the whole
length of the township's southerly boundary. After the two branches
of the Wye unite, they flow northwards and cross the Penetanguishene
Road at Wyebridge. As in the case of its Orr Lake branch, the Wye
itself formed a natural boundary for the Huron tribes, West of the
river lived the ‘Bear Nation,’ the most westerly member of the Huron
confederacy. It will be seen that the territory of this ‘ Nation’ inclu-
ded the northwesterly part of Tay Township. Notes on this part, as
well as on the islands, are included here, with my Tiny notes, in order
to cover the territory of the ‘Bears. And for the purpose of com-
pleting all the niturally protected district north of Orr Lake and its
outlet, the contig 10us northeasterly corner of Flos is also included.
In the territory thus selected, I shall give, in the following pages,
some notes on forty-nine village sites and twenty-four bone pits.
Besides these two classes of Huron remains, there is a third kind—the
forest trails—which are indicated by dotted lines on the accompanying
map.
Our plan of dealing with these village sites and the associated
bone pits, is to begin at Christian Island, on the extreme northwest,
then cross to the mainland and proceed in a southerly direction to
Orr Lake.
THE VILLAGE SITES.
In a general way, the important villages mentioned in these notes
are situated in a line beginning near Cedar Point, a trail, beside which
the villages were located, having existed to and from this quarter for
a very long time There is, however, another chain of villages begin-
ning at Pinery Point; or to speak more accurately, one part of the
main chain begins at Cedar Point and the other part at Pinery Point.
But near the latter, and in the district north of Messier’s Lake, where
there is an extensive maple forest, exploration of the remains has not
been much prosecuted owing to the wooded character of the district.
It is important to hold in view these two chains of villages,
because, in the writings of Champlain and the missionaries who
succeeded him, the travellers appear to have followed such a route,
most probably one of these here mentioned. The prot ‘em to be solved,
2
¥
7
if
e
cae Saas ra: eee idl
=
Pa FA
—e
eo
ek Bee he ee Ro
See ot
«
eel ee
oe
| 3 ERE
7
viz., to trace their footsteps correctly along the line of villages, which-
ever line it may prove to have been, will doubtless find a solution after
this upper district has been carefully explored. Father Martin, in his
Life of Jogues, (Appendix A), considers the west side of the entrance
to Penetanguishene Bay as the probable site of Ihonatiria. From this
we may infer that he would fix the landing place (Toanche) near
Pinery Point, because, according to Brebeuf, the distance between
Toanche (the landing place) and Ihonatiria was only three-quarters of
a league (Relation, 1635, p. 28, Can. Edition.) But Dr. Tache, who
made a study of the subject at a later time, inclined to believe that
Thunder Bay was the landing place. His view of the question may
be found in a footnote on Toanche in Laverdiere’s edition of Cham-
plain’s Voyages, Vol. 3, (1870), But in the map he supplied to Park-
man for the ‘ Jesuits in North America’ he puts Iho..atiria further to
the east near Penetanguishene Bay, in agreement with Father Martin's
view, yet ignoring Brebeuf’s statement of the short distance between
the two places.
It should be borne in mind that the forty-nine villages were not
all occupied at the same time. In the territory inhabited by the
‘Bear Nation,’ which nearly corresponds with the part containing the
forty-nine villages, the largest number recorded as having been occu-
pied at once was fourteen (Relation, 1638, p. 38). Champlain men-
tions only five principal ‘ Bear’ villages in the same district, but it is
not known whether this was the fuil number in existence during this
time.
Thirty-nine of these forty-nine villages, or about eighty per cent.
of them, show evidences of European contact. Some of the remaining
ten may even yet be found to yield European relics.
In several cases corn patches of considerable extent have been
observed, and are mentioned in these notes ; in a few cases, wild plum
groves; and in some others, fishing, fowling and trapping grounds have
been noted. From these instances, and from the relics found at village
sites, we can form some idea of the means of subsistence at those
villages where no such indications have yet been observed.
The aborigines invariably chose the site for a village close to
springs or to a small stream where fresh water could be obtained all
the year round; and they shunned the shores of the lakes and larger
streams by at least kalf a mile, in order to be safe from canoe parties.
They could not dig wells, and their choice of village sites was accord-
ingly limited. As the springs, in the district under consideration,
most frequently issue near the old lake shore lines already mentioned,
it is sometimes easy to determine the positions of their village
sites.
8
THE BONEPITS.
The twenty-four bonepits have all been dug out, often by the
farmers or young people in the neighborhood. To describe one o
these pits is almost equivalent to describing all, so closely do they
resemble each other. I have included in these notes the descriptions
given by Dr. Bawtree, because they describe a few of these so min-
utely that it will be sufficient to refer to his accounts on subsequent
pages.
THE Forest TRAILS.
The third class of remains—the trails—have been singularly
preserved from obliteration by succeeding Algonquin tribes. These
tribes followed the original trails that were used by the Hurons in
the seventeenth century, and kept them open down to the clearing of
the forest by white settlers. Our knowledge of the location of these
trails has been derived chiefly from pioneers of the district who them-
selves used the trails before the present public roads were constructed.
From the fact that the sites of the Huron villages are now found
along the trails, whose courses have been obtained from the pioneers,
it is clear that the paths recently closed were the original Huron
trails. In the district from Waverley to Wyebridge,the trail was pro-
bably not very different in its course from the present Penetangui-
shene rvad. Into the naturally secluded district that we have under
consideration in these notes (those paris north of the longer branch of
the Wye) there was only one possible way by land from Lake Simcoe,
viz., past the east end of Orr lake; the route, in fact, now represented
by the Penetanguishene road. There was indeed a trail along Notta-
wasaga Bay, past Cranberry Lake, but this led to the Tobacco Nation
in the west, and could not be used into the south.
I have visited many of the village sites and bonepits mentioned
in the following pages, in order to verify by observation my state-
ments regarding them. In cases where this was not done, the testimony
of at least two persons was taken before I set down any site in the list.
The space at my disposal does not permit me to go into greater
detail regarding the historical evidence for the determination of the
positions of some of the mission villages. But my notes in the Bur-
rows Reissue and Translation of the Jesuit Relations will give, to
anyone desirous of pursuing the subject, some further details in regard
to the locations of these.
The object of the present undertaking is merely to accumulate
evidence; and it must not be supposed that data respecting the antiq-
uities of Tiny are exhausted by the following list. Many points,
connected with the identification of the sites mentioned by Champlain
Gos eis aE ea Gha ee ee
9
and the missionaries, will remain uncertain, anu therefore the subject
of debate. The notes give only such information as I have been able
to glean at intervals during the past twelve years, provision for the
publication of which has been made by the Hon. Dr. G. W. Ross, Min-
ister of Education for the Province of Ontario. It should also be
added that my obligations to others who have helped me in this
undertaking are acknowledged throughout the notes, Farmers, par-
ticularly the French settlers, have always been courteous while I was
prosecuting my enquiries ; and it is hoped that, among other results,
this report will further stimulate them and cthers to observe closely
the Huron remains of their respective neighborhoods,
1. STE. MARIE ON CHRISTIAN ISLAND.
On Christian Island are to be seen the ruins of the second forti-
fied Jesuit mission of Ste. Marie, and the remains of an extensive
Huron village surrounding it. The fort is situated on the picturesque
bay in the southeast part of the island, and at the east end of the
present Ojibway village. Its walls, enclosing about quarter of an
acre, were built of stone and lime. At the time of my first visit to
the place (September 7, 1886), their appearance was much dilapidated,
and in the twelve years that have elapsed further disintegration has
been steadily going on.
Near the centre of the fort is a work of masonry, oval in shape
(or rather like a horseshoe, as the south end of it is gone), its greatest
breaath being about six feet, and its greatest length about twelve.
Withi: this a spring rises, the
water flowing through the
open side; and running over
the ground toward the bay it
has produced a swamp about
the south front of the ruins.
The spring thus walled up
evidently was the water sup-
ply at the time of the oecupa-
tion of the structure (1449-50),
It would appear to be thisweli Fort SMarce
that is meant by the small don Tle S'Joserds
square marked on the Rev.Gevo, Sava edd...»
Hallen’s diagram in Bréssani’s &
Relation Abrégée, page 280,
(Montreal, 1852), which figure
we reproduce here.
The place has yielded a number of interesting relies, The melted
remains of the chapel bell were once found in a corner of the ruins by an
ANNI NN
“=== =-123 goede
10
Indian, the late Peter York. Besides brass articles, some bearing
French inscriptions, a number of French coins of the period have been
found, and sometimes human bones. A steel stamp bearing three
letters (I. H. 8.) for making sacramental wafers, was found in 1848
by Joseph Bourchier, and secuved by Dr. Bawtree for $10, it is said,
for his' collection of relics. It is now in an English museum.
A stone fortlet some distance east of this main one, just describec,
appears to have been an outpost for the protection of the surrounding
Huron habitations. In the winter of 1649-50 there were more than a
hun: .red such habitations containing from 6,000 to 8,000 Hurons,
dying from famine and disease.
As a reminder of this dreadful winter, a bonepit existed north-
west of the main fort, twenty feet in diameter.. This was examined
by Mr. Boyle, who estimated that the bones of 400 or 500 persons
lad been buried in it. For some interesting details of his examina-
tion, as well as other features of the fort and surroundings, see
Archeological Report for 1897, page 35, etc. See also the writer's
article “ Ahoendoe ; the last refuge of the Hurons” in The Indian,
Hagersville, Ont., 1886) page 217.
2. LIGHTHOUSE PLOT, CHRISTIAN ISLAND.
Across the bay, on the Christian Island lighthouse plot, is the
site of a village where only the Huron lodge type prevails. There
were about five lodges, showing four ‘fires’ each, as nearly as could
be distinguished when I examined this site on September 7, 1886, and
again on July 30, 1887. Stones cracked by fire were numerous on the
ground, also fragments of pottery and pipes. A whole clay pipe,
found here, was presented to the museum by Thos. McKenny, Thorn-
bury (No. 6946, museum catalogue).
3. WM. H. RICHARDSON’S.
On the farm of Wm. H. Richardson, east half lot 19, concession
20, there is the site of a village, evidently of Hurons with whom the
early French traders had come into contact. It extends across the
21st concession line into the farm of John McLellan, sr., the two parts
together covering a space of about five acres.
In company with A. C, Osborne, of Penetanguishene, on Sept. 2nd,
1898, I visited this site, its existence having been called to my atten-
tion a few days before by Geo. E. Laidlaw, of Balsam Lake. Its
situation is on a kind of high lake terrace or plateau, overlooking
Georgian Bay, with Beckwith Island just opposite. The land had
been cleared about four years previous to our visit, and it was during
this operation that the first evidences of Huron occupation had been
observed. These consisted in the usual ash-beds containing pottery
See i ob a Gees A
ae
Seas S
Se So Rt a rr
Sr RGR EN Ra OE 6 ro on
11
fragments in abundance and other relics common to such sites, Mr.
Richardson directed us to two small pits or sink-holes along the top
of a small ridge in the lower ground between the hill and the shore.
We made excavations in both but found nothing in them to indicate
whether their origin was human or not.
Upon this site and on some farms in its neighborhood, many iron
tomahawks of early French pattern have been found. The triple
Fig. 2.
Flewr-de-lis always to be seen on these French hatchets is a sign of
the country whence they had origin, not less certain than the
ubiquitous ‘Made in Germany’ of our own day. Some of these
hatchets have been picked up —_
on the farm of Arch. McLean,
lot 20, concession 21, and|
others by Wm. Pulling, on his
farm (s. w. quarter lot 20,
concession 20), where there is
also a tract of land adaptable
to the growing of Indian corn. Fig. 3.
Nearly all of them are worn out or damaged in one way or other ;
the Hurons, like ourselves, would cast away any that had become
unfit for use, just such as we find now-a-days, and would save the
good ones.
In August, just before our visit, Mr. Laidlaw had received two
steel knives and a clay pipe, found at this site. Many other relics
have been found, but, as usual, nearly all except those of the smallest
size, are in a fragmentary condition. The writer obtained six wampum
beads of aboriginal workmanship aud fr ~ Huropean beads.
From the compactness of this siti . .ts position on a hill, we
might easily infer that the town or village was palisaded. It was
evidently inhabited during the French or historic period, as the relies
show. It is not improbable, therefore, that it was Toanche, as it is
BEE in Fe ee cane Be Wer ee Se Fie
12
situated so close to the shore ; but it is still difficult, at the present
stage of our enquiries, to fix upon the position of that place—the
earliest of the mission villages. The position of this place is further
west than we should have attributed to Toanche.
4. EUGENE MARION’S.
In the woods on the farm of Eugene Marion, lot 17, concession
18, were two interesting bone-pits. On July 29, 1887, I made some
examination of these pits, having been guided to the place by John
Hoar, then the light-house keeper of Christian Island. There was a
large oval bone-pit here, and at a few yards from it a smaller round
one. Their situation was on elevated ground near the source of a
small stream that flows into Thunder Bay. Large hardwood trees
(chiefly beech and maple) grew near, and some decayed trunks lay on
the ground, indicating a considerable antiquity for these still earlier
deposits of human bones, The pits were in dry sandy soil, the larger
of the two having a longer axis of twenty feet and a depth of ten feet
in the centre.
In Huron fashion, only the bones and not bodies had been origin-
ally interred, as the following circumstances plainly showed: (1) We
found a bundle of thigh bones (femurs) and shin bones (tibias) arranged
side by side like a bundle of faggots, but the thongs that bound them
together had perished and left no trace... (2) Skulls were found in
greater number than other bones of the body, indicating that the most
important relic had received more attention than other bones whica
should have been deposited at the same time. (3) Very small bones
(ribs, toes, ete.) were svarce, having been for the most part neglected.
If we may be allowed to form an opinion from the closeness of
other bone-pits to village sites, there must exist a village site at no
great distance from these pits (probably not more than a few hundred
yards away), though the forest still conceals it.
Their distance is not much more than a mile from the south-west
corner of Thunder Bay, which may be considered to have been the
landing place for this village, and numerous iron hatchets have been
found on the farm of Ambroise Labatte, lot 16, con. 19, beside Thunder
Bay. In attempting to identify these remains with one of the Huron
townsof history,it may be remembered that Brebeuf records the distance
of Ihonatiria from the shore as three-fourths of a league. [Relation,
1685, p. 28, Canadian Edition (1858)]. The same writer tells us again
(Relaticn, 1636, p. 96), that [honatiria was ‘near the edge of a great
lake,” but Le Mercier (Relation, 1637, p. 149), records the fact that a
large island was in sight of it, which would seem to discourage the
theory that this was Ihonatiria, as the place lies too far inland to
allow any of the islands to be seen,
SE Sis re Sis fh aor ls ia RS MR ee FG aU.
vie
13
5. MO1SE CHEVRETTE’S.
The site of another Huron village may be seen on the farm of
Moise Chevrette, sr., south half lot 13, concession 17. A very interest-
ing feature, evidently connected with this site, was an extensive corn
patch across the seventeenth concession line on the farm of John Hark,
north half lot 13, concession 16. Before the forest was cleared on the
latter farm, there was to be seen an extensive area covered with corn
hills.
The method, among ancient Huron agriculturists, of planting
corn, was very different from that now adopted by our own farmers.
They planted the seed in the tops of hillocks of considerable size,—
large enough to remain from year to year without renewal; in fact
they have lasted for three hundred years almost in their original
shape. This mode is well outlined in the following paragraph from
the Toronto Globe of January 27, 1885: ‘The Indian method of
planting corn was to make a conical hillock, in the top of which the
corn was placed, and being used for the same purpose these hills
became so hard that they have in some old fields lasted till to-day.
In some places in Michigan a heavy growth of maple has sprung up
since, and yet the old corn hills are clearly marked.’
The Rev. W. M. Beauchamp notes that a similar method was
practiced by the early Iroquois in New York State, He says: ‘Corn
hills were large, and stood well apart. They are still to be seen in
some New York woods,—[Aboriginal Chipped Stone Implements of
New York, p. 55.—Albany, 1897.]
6. J. M. BIRD’S (DR. BAWTREE’S, No. 1.)
The next site—still proceeding southward—is one that has often
been described in books during the last fifty years, though always
with but a vague account of its exact location. It is on lot 15, con-
cession 15, of which the owner is J. M. Bird, Gravenhurst,—John
Glaspell having lived on the same farm when some of the remains
were found. It is south of Marchildon’s stream, but on the north side
of the Randolph ridge.
The first published notice of the bone-pit appears to have been a
short article by Capt. T. G. Anderson, Government Indian Agent at
Penetanguishene, in the British Colonist (Toronto), Sept. 24, 1847.
Althongh it advocates the Israel-Indian theory—a fallacy prevalent
in that time—the entire article is reproduced here, as its quaint
descriptions are otherwise almost inaccessible to the public.
_ H. H. Thompson, Esq., Penetanguishene, one of the gentlemen
mentioned in the Colonist article as having examined the bone-pit,
confirmed (Sept. 1, 1898), in the presence of the writer, several of the
FS Ce a
14
facts mentioned therein, identifying it with the one to be seen on Mr.
Bivd’s farm. Another resident who has lived in the neighborhood of
the site for many years—Herry Hark—on the following day (Sept. 2)
also identified, independently, a number of the features mentioned.
At the time of its discovery, when the forest was everywhere, it was
more difficult to define the boundaries of farms, and this method of
designating location was less attended to. But there is now no reason
to doubt that the site brought so muc into evidence fifty years ago is
that of Mr. Bird’s farm.
SINGULAR DISCOVERY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ABORIGINES
OF THIS CONTINENT.
British Colonist (Toronto), 24th Sept., 1847.
We are indebted to Major Anderson of the Indian Department for the
particulars of a singular discovery made near Pentanguishene ;
Some three years since, Canadians exploring in the neighborhood of Pentangui-
shene found about six miles from it a cavity in the earth, into which they thrust
their ‘ walking staffs,’ and disturbed one or two skulls, but did not proceed further
with the inquiry.
From time to time the ma'‘ter was considered and discussed till at length*
Mr. Henry Thompson and Mr. Hill, of the Mohawk, determined to visit the spot
and examine it more carefully. Provided with fitting implements they went on
with the excavation, in the course of which they threw out about 50 human skulls
and a large quantity of bones. With these were found twenty-six or twenty-seven
copper kettles,+ shallow in form, about ;8; of an inch in thickness, and three feet
in diameter. Some among them were hooped with a rude iron band, so rude that
the hammer stroke is scarcely discernible except where they are rivetted. Some
of those vessels are perfect; others are fractured from the extent to which corrosion
has gone on; while many bear on the base marks of some red pigment which time
has failed to remove. It is assumed that they would each contain twenty gallons.
With these remains were found three conque shells, which as our readers are
aware, are altogether unknown in the inland waters. Scattered irregularly among
the bones were found a number of beads, not coral, or glass, or porcelaine, but
apparently sawn out of the conque shell and perforated, that they might be strung.
The presumption is, that this formed the original ‘‘ wampum,” before the intro-
duction of beads, such as now grace the neck of the Squaw. With these articles
was found an iron axe, the rust, however, prevented any marks being discerned.
‘Lhe whole of these remains and implements were placed on beaver skins, the fur of
which was destroyed, as may well be imagined by the damp, the skin, however,
remaining entire. ‘The care bestowed by these denizens of the forest on the
remains of those torn from them, when considered relatively with their rude mode
of life, is ‘‘ passing strange.” A bed of Beaver skins, how few among the civilized
have had this in the ‘* still, cold chamber of the narrow grave.” A short distance
* H. H. Thompson states (Sept. 1, 1898), that his companion on this occasion
was Mr. Attrill, purser of the Government Steamer Mohawk. The name ‘“ Hill”
in this article is, therefore, a misprint,
+ Mr. Thompson gave these kettles to different persons, Mr. Labatte, a
blacksmith living at Thunder Bay, getting some of them.
15
from this spot, a similar discovery has been made on Bantry’s Island, by some
Canadians who were digging, and found a large worsted belt, bearing the indication
of its having belonged to the sacerdotal office*. With this were some pieces of
copper, of an isosceles triangular form, each weighing two to three ounces, and an
agricultural implement, made of copper and fixed in a wooden shaft. The skulls
found are of a retreating character, in the portions allotted by phrenologists to the
perceptive and reflective faculties, bearing a marked resemblance to the early
Egyptians. Nor are the utensils of which we have spoken without the evidence of
their pattern having an Eastern origin, as will be palpable to all who shall examine
the specimens in the hands of Major Anderson.
One singular feature of the discovery consists in the fact, that over the cavity
(or rather in the centre of it) from which these relics were procured, a tree was
growing, some eighteen or twenty inches in diameter, and giving assurance of its
being at least two hundred years old.
The questions then present themselves, who i in the year of grace 1647, were
the lords of this continent ?
Who then traversed the forests on Lake Huron, and indulged in their siesta
on the little islands with which its bright surface is studded ?
Who taught the art of making copper vessels of the thickness of a penny gna
of three feet in diameter, at such a period? For what purpose were such vessels
constructed ?
It may not be unprofitable to revert for a moment to the mention of such
vessels in Holy Writ, which are there always spoken of as brass. In Exodus,
there is the declaration ‘* Thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his
shovels, and his basons, and his flesh-hooks, and his fire-pans” : In Numbers,
‘* The censers, the flesh hooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of
the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers’ skins.” Again,
‘* every open vessel which hath no covering bound upon it is unclean,” and in
Ezekiel, ‘‘ Take thou also unto thee wheat and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and
millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel.”
May it not be, that some of the forms of the Israelitish faith were received by
these poor Indians, long before Columbus crossed the Atlantic, and retained by
them, till the gigantic strides of civilization made, subsequently to 1550, reduced
them to their present abject state.
We are neither antiquarians nor archeologists ; would that we were, but we do
not feel the less anxious that, those whose acquirements fit them for, and whose
engagements are consonant with such enquiries, should devote their attention to the
subject.
‘** Truth is strange, stranger than fiction,” and it may be that even here some
information, all important in our reading, lies hid. However other relics and
remains may have puzzled the inquirer heretofore, we do not recollect any circum-
stance forcing on the mind such important questions, as does the discovery of these
Indian remains at Penetanguishene. +
* The article here referred to appears to have got into the Bawtree collection
at Netley Military Hospital, England, and is thus catalogued : ‘No. 37—Part of a
Sash’. Dr. Bawtree, a page or two further on in the MS. Catalogue, speaks of it in
the terms employed in a subsequent page of these Notes (page 21).
+ I am indebted to Thos. D. Mounsey, of; the House of Commons Staff, for
making a copy of the foregoing article from the file in the Parliamentary Library,
Ottawa.
ee ee ee ee eS
ne ee
16
Another account, which seems to have been written about the
same time as the foregoing, was given by Kdward W. Bawtree, M.D.,
of the Military Establishment at Penetanguishene. It appeared in the
a Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal for July, 1848, but Dr.
Bawtree had no opportunity of correcting the proof of it. The text
which here follows is that of a typewritten MS.,sent by Dr. Bawtree
to the Canadian Institute,* Toronto, in 1894, which I am permitted to
use,
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SOME SEPULCHRAL PITS OF INDIAN
ORIGIN LATELY DISCOVERED NEAR PENETANGUISHENE.
By Epwarp W. Bawrres, M.D,
This discovery (of a bonepit) led last autumn to the more accurate examination
of a pit of the same description about seven miles from Penetanguishene, in the
Township of Tiny, This pit was accidentally noticed three or four years ago by a
French-Canadian. While making sugar in the neighborhood, he was struck by its
appearance and the peculiar sound produced at the bottom of it by stamping, and
on turning up a few spadefuls of earth he was surprised to find a quantity of
human bones. It was more accurately examined in September last, and found to
contain, besides a great number of human skeletons of both sexes and all ages,
twenty-six copper and brass kettles or boilers, three large conch shells, pieces of
beaver skin in tolerable preservation, a fragment of pipe, a large iron axe evidently
of French manufacture, some human hair (that of a woman), a copper bracelet, and
a quantity of flat, circular beads, perforated through the centre.
The form of the pit is circular with an elevated margin. It is about fifteen
feet in diameter, and before it was opened it was probably nine feet from the level
of its max,in to the centre and bottom ; its shape in one word, ‘‘ funnel-shaped.”
Tt is situated on the top of a gentle rise with a shallow ravine on the east side
through which runs a small stream at certain seasons ; at the present time there is
nothing peculiar or striking in its position, except perhaps its being almost central
on the peninsula which extends on to Lake Huron, between Gloucester and Notta-
wasaga Bays, and-which is deeply indented by Thunder Bay and Penetanguishene
Harbor and from both of which bays the spot is nearly equidistant. The locality
is not elevated above the surrounding country ; the soil is light, free from stones
and dry. A permanent stream runs within a quarter of a mile of it to Nottawa-
saga Bay, and there is a fine spring of water within a few hundred yards. The
character of the bush surrounding it seems similar to that elsewhere; the timber is
chiefly of hardwood ; a small ironwood tree about two inches in diameter grew in the
centre of the pit.
In consequence of the scramble among the French-Canadians which followed
the first tinding of the kettles, the exact position of the different contents of the
pit could not be accurately observed. The bones had been removed io the depth
of three or four feet before any of the other contents were exposed. The kettles
were found arranged over its bottom with their cavities upwards, placed upon
pieces of bark and filled with bones ; they had evidently been covered with beaver
* Tam under obligations to Jas. Bain, jr., Vice-President of the Institute,
i and Miss Logan, the Assistant Secretary, for their efforts in unearthing the MS:
ih here followed, in preference to the published texts.
17
skins as pieces of that fur were still adhering to them in good preservation. The
shells as well as the axe were found in the intervals of the kettles ; the beads within
them, and in scattered groups elsewhere among the bones, generally in bunches or
strings, The other objects were picked up after the pit had been disturbed by
Canadians who made a second search.
The kettles resembled somewhat the copper boilers in use at the present day ;
they appeared to be formed of sheet copper, the rim being beaten out to covera strong
iron band which passes entirely or only partly round the neck of the vessel, for
the purpose evidently of strengthening them and to carry the iron hoop by which
they were surrounded, and what with a somewhat clumsy hook on either side is
attached to an eye upon the band. The smallest of them measures about eighteen
inches in diameter and nine in depth, and will hold about five gallons. One of the
largest is more than two feet in diameter, and thirteen inches in depth, the thick-
ness of the metal about one-sixteenth of an inch. The handle remains perfect in
some, in the form of a strong, removable iron hoop. The copper is in good
preservation, the iron deeply corroded, no stamp or maker’s name could be found
on them ; on the base of one only was a mark as shown on the margin in red paint
resembling chalk, and the inside of a piece of beaver skin was marked with a similar
matter. Two of the kettles were of brass constructed much in the above manner,
one only varied in shape from the others, and seemed as if the upper part of it had
been cut off, the sides were nearly perpendicular, whereas those of the remainder
were circular in every way, though varying in design of rotundity.
The accompanying sketch is intended to show one of the largest and most per-
fect, and also the smallest of them. The brass kettles were of rather neater work-
manship than the copper, the lip being turned over ina scroll, and the hooks for
the handle were well riveted on to the vessel.
The largest of the conch shells weighs three pounds and a quarter, and mea-
sures fourteen inches in its longest diameter. Its outer surface has lost all polish,
and is quite honey-combed by age and decomposition ; the inside still retains its
smooth lamellated surface ; it has lost all color, and has the appearance of chalk $a
piece has been cut from its base, probably for the purpose of making the beads
which were found with it,
Another of the shells is sma‘lex in size and in better preservation from having
been originally a younger shell, its surface is unimpaired by age though it has lost
all color. From the base of its columella a considerable piece has been cut in a
regular and even manner as if, too, for the purpose of making the before mentioned
beads. ‘I'he extreme point of the base of each shell has been perforated.
The axe is nearly of the same model as the present tomahawk in common use
among the Chippewa Indians for their hunting excursions, though very much larger,
measuring eleven inches in length and six inches and a half along its cutting edge
and weighing five pounds and a half. It must have lost considerable weight as it is
deeply indented by rust. It has no characteristic mark, but was recognized by the
French-Canadians as being probably of French manufacture, and similar ones have
been found in the neighborhood on newly cleaned land ; no less than five of the
same pattern were found under a stone near Thunder Bay a few years back where
they appear to have been placed for concealment. The metal of these axes is
remarkably good and easily converted into useful hoes by the Canadians.
The pipe is imperfect. It is made of the earthenware of which so many speci-
mens are found in the neighborhood in the form of fragments of vessels, pipes, and
the spots where the manufacture of these things was carried on are still distinctly
marked in some places,
2 H. V.
re
y
;
a
F
.
18
The beads are formed of a white chalky substance, varying in degree of density
and hardness, and resembling the material of the large shells, They are accurately
circular with a circular perforation in the centre of different sizes from a quarter to
half an inch, or rather more, in diameter ; but nearly all of the same thickness, not
quite the eighth of an inch ; they may be compared to a peppermint lozenge with a
hole through the centre. They were found in bunches or strings, and a good many
were still closely strung on a fibrous woody substance. One of these strings was
remarked as being composed of a row of beads regularly proceeding in size from the
smallest to the largest.
The above mentioned appear to have been the characteristic objects contained
in this pit.
The beaverskin was found in pieces, but many of them in good preservation.
The bracelet is a simple band of brass an iach and a-half broad, and fitting the
wrist closely. The hair is long, evidently that of a woman, and in good condition.
It is perhaps worthy of notice that in the neighborhood of some of these
sepulchral pits other ancient signs of Indian exis‘ence are still to be found.
Within about half a mile of this first pit may be seen a place where the earth has
been thrown up so as to form square enclosures. These spots might be passed
without notice and the mounds attributed to fallen trees, but on examination no
traces of timber or roots can be found, and persons familiar with the bush consider
them to be artificial. They may be traced extending in a line for a considerable
distance. Below this and following the course of a tolerably sized stream for about
a mile is what the Canadians of the neighborhood call the ‘‘ plum garden.” It is
an alluvial level having the appearance of being at times flooded by the river, and
abounding in wild plum and cherry trees, with a mixture of poplar. They have
given it this name under the idea that it has been cleared before and planted with
fruit trees (by the French, they think), though it is more likely that a peculiarity
in the soil alone accounts for the existence of so many of these trees. Following a
small tributary of the river back to the rising ground, from this placea spot may be
seen quite bare of vegetation, somewhat elevated, and covered, apparently, with
baked earth. Pieces of earthenware are found here in great quantities which make
it likely that the material was manufactured on this spot.* A Canadian cutting a
basswood tree from the neighborhood of the ‘‘ plum garden ’ not long since struck
upon an iron ring which was deeply imbedded in its substance. Stone and iron
axes are often found in this neighborhood.
K. G. Squier in his “ Antiquities of the State of New York”
(1851) reprints (at p. 100) the foregoing account by Dr. Bawtree of
this site, as well as accounts by the same writer of three subsequent
sites, the object being to make comparisons of the remains with
Kinweieng Hark informed me that on lot 12, concession 14, was once found an
‘* old well ”—probably meaning a caché or hiding
pit—in which were found two earthen pots of
Indian make. This may correspond with the place
mentioned here by Dr. Bawtree. In this connec-
tion it may be mentioned that a stone pipe marked
with a rudely cut cross on the front was found by
Mr. Ed. Todd on the same farm, lot 12, concession
14, See Mr. Boyle’s Archeological Report for
1898, page 48.
;
’
*
e
aX
*
B
i
;
19
similar remains in New York State. Father Martin in his notes on
Bressani’s Relation Abregeé (Montreal, 1852), at p. 101 speaks of this
discovery ; and Sir Daniel Wilson, in the Canadian Journal (Second
Series), Vol. III., p. 399 (1858), also refers to the bonepit and its con-
tents, particularly the conch shells, mentioning Dr. Bawtree’s account
of them.
A. C. Osborne, of Penetanguishene, identifies the site with Arente
of the “esuit Relations, and it is a very good conjecture as Arente was
two leagues from Ihonatiria (five miles by our reckoning), Relation,
1636, p. 133 (Canadian edition), and Relation, 1637, p. 110. In mak-
ing this conjecture Ihonatiria is assumed to be one of the sites near
Thunder Bay.
7. EDMUND LAURIN’S. (DR. BAWTREE’S, NO, 2).
Two miles west of the last named site is another on lot 18, con-
cession 17, the present owner of the farm being Edmund Laurin. H.
H. Thompson, one of the gentlemen who examined the last one,
informed the writer (Sep. 1) that he did not see this one; but Dr.
Bawtrce appears to have visited it and gives the following account of
it: :
ACCOUNT BY DR. BAWTREE.
The second pit was opened on the 16th of September last (1847). It is abont
two miles from the first pit, on lot 18, 17th Concession of Tiny ; it was accident-
ally discovered by the owner of the lot who settled on it last year while searching
in the bush for his cow. It is considerably smaller in diameter than that just
noticed, being only about nine feet in diameter, and its depth when dug out, the
same. It is situated on rising ground, on light sandy soil, but there is nothing
more remarkable in its situation. A beech tree six inches in diameter grew from
its centre; it probably contained as many bones as the last, as there were no
kettles to narrow the avove space which was entirely occupied by them. The
bones seemed to belong to persons of both sexes and of all ages, though in this pit
there were probably fewer of a small size ; amon,; them were a few foetal bones.
On the skulls which were found in the last pit, it was remarked that no signs
of violence could be detected, and where any fracture existed they appeared to be
easily accounted for by natural causes, as many of them were much decomposed
and brittle ; but in this the fractures and injuries found on the skulls could hardly
be explained in that way, and it is thought must have been produced previous to
death. It was remarked quite satisfactorily that the injury was more common on
the left side than*on the right, and a great many were found with the left parietal
bone quite broken in, while fracture of the right was comparatively rare. In one
skull was a clean, round hole, of the size of a musket ball, and in another a circular
depression of the same size, appearing to have been an old gunshot wound. Besides
those so distinctly fractured on the parietal region, a great many others had quite
collapsed and become flattened, and from the fact of their not appearing more
decomposed than the entire ones and from the known strength of the uninjured
skull, it is perhaps not unreasonable to conclude that they had been previously
injured.
fe aN nA inte
20
‘ Besides the bones were fragments of a brass vessel and a variety of beads.
This vessel, of which a small piece of the rim only remained, must have been about
a foot in diameter and probably resembled the brass kettles last noticed as the rim
had been neatly turned over in a scroll which covered a small circular iron hoop
about a quarter of an inch in diameter; at one point a square piece of the same
metal is neatly folded over its edge, having an eye in its centre for the attachment
of the handle. This vessel could hardly have been destroyed by time as the pit
was perfectly dry, and apparently more adapted to preserve its contents than the
last one opened, and it would seem as ic wis viece had been buried in the state in
which it was found ; it had evidently been packed in furs,
The beads or wampum found in this pit were of several kinds, the principal
were chalky looking bodies varying in size from a quarter to an inch-and-a-half in
length, of irregular shape and thickness, some being quite flat and oval, others
nearly circular which a great many distinctly showed by their fluted and irregular
surface, their origin, namely, the convolution of a large shell. On some the smooth
inner surface of the shell still remains in the form of a depression, and in others
the worn edge shows the texture and formation ;-each is perforated through its
long axis; they were found in bunches, and had evidently been strung together in
graduated rows of large and small.
Besides these were found cylindrical pieces of earthenware and porcelain or
glass tubes from one-eighth to a quarter of an inch in diameter, and from a quarter
to two inches long. The former had the appearance of pieces of red and white
tobacco pipe worn away by friction ; the latter of blue and red glass.
An hexagonal body with flat ends about an inch-and-a-half in diameter and one
inch thick was also found ; it seemed to be formed of some kind of porcelain, being
of hard texture, nearly vitreous and much variegated in color, with alternate layers
of red, ? ae and white. This also was perforated through the centre, and was
probably used as an ornament or formed part of a pipe.
This pit was carefully examined, and it is worthy of notice that no beads
similar to those found in the last and two following (the third being in Oro Town-
ship) could be detected by the closest search.
Besides these large and more evident excavations which once seen would not
again be passed unnoticed, smaller ones of the same shape and apparent character
are frequently met with. The Canadians now often notice them, and people accus-
tomed te the woods can easily recognize their peculiar features. It is not unusual
to hear them called ‘‘ potato pits,” as supposed to have been made for the purpose
of preserving that vegetable in. No less than five of them were found by a farmer
within a quarter of a mile of e second pit just mentioned; they were close
together. One of them he carefully dug out to the depth of six feet as the ground
appeared to have been disturbed to that extent, when he came to solid clay. It is
about four feet in diameter. The only relic it contained, but which satisfactorily
proved its connection w'th Indian customs was an iron or steel arrow-head.
LS iN sin a RL OP SOT OR org ee Oe ee
8. TELESPHORE DESROCHE'S.
Pea Geo es
On lot 20, concession 17—a farm now occupied by Telesphore
Desroches, but formerly by James Drinnan—is the site of another
Huron village. The usual ashbeds, with their contents, are to be seen,
i but no bonepit has been discovered.
Ati
}
t
i
i
li
SET ETE TED DDO AAAS TSP CUA OA SESE
eStepee
21
9, THOMAS CONDON'’S.
Another of the numerous borepits was found several years ago on
lot 22, concession 17—the farm being occupied at the time by Thomas
Condon. Not far from it were to be seen many peculiar holes in the
surface of the ground, probably empty caches, and by digging, the
ashes of camp fires were exposed, and other remains of Huron occu-
pation.
10. BEAUDOIN’S.
On the Beaudoin homestead, lot 22, concession 16, was the site of
another village, at which a number of human skeletons were found.
11. BEAUSOLIEL ISLAND.
Some attention should be given next to the remains found at.
Beausoliel Island. This is the correct name of that large island in the
Christian group marked on maps “ Prince William Henry,” though the
latter high-sounding name is not in use anywhere in the district.
A little diagram in the corner of the large map in Father Du-
creux’s “ Historia Canadensis ” (1660) is the only map that lays down
the Huron villages as they were in the time of the Jesuit missions.
The diagram (which, though much distorted, is a valuable guide) shows
a large island by the name of “Ondiotana”—the seat of the mission
of the Ascension—two villages being marked on the island. But few
remains have been found on any other than Beausoliel in the group,
except on Christian Island itself, so tar as my enquiries have hitherto
extended. It is not improbable, therefore, tl. it Ondiotana and Beau-
soliel are identical.
The relics found on Beausoliel have been interesting. Par: of a
sash found there is in Dr, Bawtree’s collection of relies from the Huron
country, now in England. On this article and the others found with
it, that gentleman wrote as follows in the year 1848: “The things
actually found (at Beausoliel) seemed to indicate that a priest may
have been buried there. The fragment of sash or breviary was a
matter of interest tc my friends, Father Charest, the paid priest, and
the much respected Father Proulx, who inspected them from time to
time.”
12. PRESENT ISLAND.
Later, (in 1889), two young men from Honey Harbor—Arthur
Finch and Andrew Simons—dug from a grave in Present Island sev-
eral articles which were afterward procured for the Provincial Museum
by the Rev. Th. F. Laboreau of Penetanguishene. ‘These consist in:
three double-barred crosses (Nos. 5650-5652); two white metal
brooches (5659, 5666); a brass knife handle with an inscription (5665),
OD Ce Se ee en ee
22
and a piece of cloth with bangles (5671). These articles were described
and figured (David Boyle—Fourth Archeological Report, pages 64,
etc.) at the time they were placed in the museum (in 1890); but as
copies of the report referred to have become scarce, we will reproduce
the descriptions and figures for the benefit of our readers.
‘This double-barred cross, with
two others, was found on Beausoliel
*(should be Present Island) Island in
the Georgian Bay. Double-barred
crosses of this kind are now, it seems,
unknown in connection with Catholic
worship.
Regarding this peculiar form of
cross, Dean Harris of St. Catharines,
writes : “ This small, dual cross is per-
mitted to be worn only by patriarchs
of the Latin Church. It is also some-
times carried as a processional cross,
and as Richelieu was bishop and car-
dinal, it is possible that he used such
a cro-s either as pectoral or proces-
sional. In all probability these orna-
ments were sent out to Canada during
his vegime, and receiving the blessing
of the priest among the Hurons, would
have served the double purpose of
bei g ornamental and of being used
in devotion.”
‘It should be noted that on two
Fic. 5 of the crosses there are engraved re-
spectively the letters ‘©. A? and ‘R. C’
Taking a clue from Dean Harris’s reference to Richelieu, these letters
may mean Cardinal Archbishop and Richeliew Curdinal, but as the
dean says, “ We can easily conjecture many things in association with
these letters, but they would be only conjectures.” ’
It was stated in one of the newspaper accounts of the
discovery that one of these relics showed Richelieu’s coat
of arms. But of this I am not quite sure.
“ Fig. 6 represents one of several ‘ bangles’ found with
the crosses (on Present Island). They appear to be made of
silver, or else of some other soft white metal. Fic, 6.
*My informant as to the correct location was Dr. Raikes, formerly of Midland,
but now of Barrie, He saw the place where these articles were found on Present
Island.
Birt
<
|
+
3
:
Spee
(Seite ae
Re Tee Nas
e)
whee
4
ef ado
epee lee sale of shia ae
i
y
‘4
£
~
Bf
3
nt
f
23
ese eee eS
“It hss often proved puzzling to account for the presence
of numerous little brooch-pins (like those here figured) in ossu- ;
aries. The specimen of cloth represented shows us the use that
was, at least in some cases, made of them. Apparently the whole
Fig. 7.
skirt or body, or perha)s the whole of a garment, was adorned in this
way. Although all are now coated more or less with verdigris, the
metal is white. The verdigris may, in part, be owing to the presence
of a sinall copper vessel that was found beside them in the grave.
24
“The fabric to which they are fastened is a coarse linen and of
brown color. It was found along with the crosses already mentioned,
and was procured for the museum by the Rev. Fr. Laboreau of Pene-
tanguishene.”
George E. Laidlaw, of Balsam Lake, has kindly permitted me to
print from a letter to him the following comments on the brooches by
Charles Stuart, Chief Factor of the Hudson’s Bay Co.
Port Hope, Jan. 2, 1892.
These brooches (Fourth Archeological Report, pages 66-7),
were in stock as articles of trade in the Hudson’s Bay Co.'s store
at Grand Lac, Upper Ottawa, when I entered the service in 1840—a
few of the large ones were still remaining when I retired in 1874. I
am under the impression that they were introduced by the North
West Company many years ago.
CHARLES STUART,
Late Chief Factor H. B. Co.
13. PINERY POINT.
A large bone pit was discovered some years ago at Pinery Point
(marked “ Pine Point” on some maps) at the west side of the entrance
to Penetanguishene Bay. In comparison with other ossuaries in the
Huron country, it seems to have presented no unusual features,
Further evidences of Hn occupation existed near it in the collection
of ash beds invariably found at a village.
14. DONALD DAULT'S.
Following the shore of Penetanguishene Bay southward, the site
of another village is met with in the flat ground near the bay, on land
occupied by Donald Dault (about lot 5. concession 15), This site has
been considered by some to be that of Ihonatiria of the Jesuit “ Rela-
tions”; in fact, it is a prevalent idea in the district, and has even
found its way into print. For instance, this site is the one meant,
when it refers to Ihonatiria, in the Historical Sketch of the County of
Simcoe in Belden’s Atlas (Toronto, 1881), page ix.: “ The names of the
settlements on Penetanguishene Bay of two and a half centuries ago
were different (from the present name). There were two villages
then—one, ‘ Wenrio,’ near the foot of the hill at its southeast (south-
west ?) extremity ; and the other, ‘ Ihonatiria, just back of the ‘ North-
west Basin, and immediately opposite the present site of the Provin-
cial Reformatory.” It is not probable that Ihonatiria was here ; some
of the evidences bearing on the question have been already considered
in connection with the Marion site. The impression had evidently
arisen from the fact that this Dault site was known at an early date,
Ga eT
Pao ae
25
before other sites were discovered, and a hasty conclusion was then
made as to its identity with the headquarters of the Jesuits. Some
remains, described in the following terms by Dr. Bawtree in 1848,
appear to have been connected with this site or the preceding one :
“ A small empty pit of the same description (as those mentioned
before) that has been examined is situated about a hundred yards
from the beach in a little sandy bay in Penetanguishene harbor, gen-
erally called Colbourne Bay. There can be little doubt of its artificial
origin though the most minute examination failed to detect anything
that would explain the purpose to which it had been applied.
There is another on a piece of high land opnosite the garrison
which forms a part of the Government reserve at the entrance to the
harbor ; the spot is nearly bare of trees, and has the appearance of an
old clearing ; it is about two feet and a half deep through light sand,
with a hard gravelly bottom, and about three feet in diameter 5
nothing was found in it but pieces of bark, they were carefully packed
over the bottom of the pit, evidently to form an artificial flooring.”
15. JOHN ROBB’.
A village site immediately southwest of the bay at Penetangui-
shene has often been wrongly identified with Wenrio of the Jesuit
“Relations” This is the site meant in the above extract, though
“southeast ” is the direction there given. But this is evidently a mis-
print, for “southwest,” as the same Atlas (on page i. of the sketch
above referred to) speaks of Wenrio as “ a town at the sonthwest cor-
ner of Penetanguishene Bay.” The site under considvration is on
Park lot No. 37, of which John Robb is the owner and occupant. It
is not at all probable, however, that this site was identical with
Wenrio.
16. JOSEPH GROZELLE’S.
About two miles southwest of the last named site, on a high plain
or terrace abutting against a higher range of hills sometimes called
the Randolph Ridge, is the site of an Indian town or village that
appears to have played a conspicuous part in Huron times. The
terrace (250 feet above the present Georgian Bay) is the ancient shore
of the extinct Lake Algonquin, made by the cutting of the old water-
line into the hillside, and it is an object of much interest to a visitor.
A bonepit was discovered here some years ago, accompanied by the
usual ashbeds and remains of Indian habitations. The position of this
site is best known from the name of a farmer near it, Joseph Grozelle,
lot 12, concession 12, It is near the foot of the Ridge, at the roadside,
and was probably the site of Onentisati, as a steep hill or ‘ mountain ’
is mentioned in the Relations (Le Mercier, 1637, p. 149, Can. Edition)
26
> as having stood near that place. But hills, though of less magnitude
were to be seen near other sites. Consequently, all conjectures, in the
search for Onentisati, must for the present be somewhat provisional.
i 17. VINT’S SETTLEMENT.
On lot No. 16, concession 12, are the usual marks of a former
Huron village, viz., ashbeds containing pottery fragments. etc. This site
is in what is known as Vint’s Settlement. A bonepit was once found
near the bay shore, in the same neighborhood.
18. JOSEPH P. MORTON'S.
It is my intention in the present undertaking to cover, besides j
other ground, all that district west of the 4
Wye River, which formed a natural boun- .
dary for the Huron nations. From various i
sources of information it appears that the i
territory west of that river belonged to the
Bear Nation of Hurons. With this purpose 9
as to the scope of my work it will be 4
necessary to include some particulars of 4
four sites, which, although in a corner of 4
Tay Township, really belong to the Bear
division. q
The first of these occurs on the farm of 4
Joseph P. Morton, lot No 25, Ordnance 4
Survey. The discovery of a bonepit was :
made, in the spring of 1886, by the a
accidental sinking of a horse into it while
the animal was ploughing. The pit con-
tained a quantity of Huron remains. This
site is immediately behind the Provincial
Reformatory, near Penctanguishene, and
near a small sheet of water called St.
Andrew’s Lake,
Near this site there was found a remark-
able stone implement, gouge at one end a
and axe or chisel at the other. It is a
figured and described at page 38, of Mr. E.
Boyle’s Fifth Archeological Report, having 3
ie ihdaigen been presented to the Provincial Museum,
Fig. 8 by Thos, McCrosson, Esq., Warden of the
Reformatory. Regarding the exact locality where this relic was found,
Mr. McCrosson replies to my enquiry as follows :—
‘It was found near the east shore of Penetanguishene Bay,
27
immediately fronting the Reformatory. It was some feet below the
surface, and was unearthed when digging the foundation for the pump-
ing station.’
19. WM. PRATT’S.
Another site, which Dr. Tache is said to have examined, occurs on
the farm of William Pratt, lot 113, concéssion 1, Tay Township. A
bonepit was once found here. There is also a circular work, apparently
of human origin, in the construction of which stones had been used
by the aborigines.
20. MIDLAND PARK.
In September, 1889, while werkmen were digging post holes for a
fence around the Agricultural Exhibition ground in Midland, they
came upon a bonepit. A dozen or more of skulls were gathered out,
and fragments indicated that the pit had contained many more than
that number.* Two remarkable copper relies were also found and
presented to the Provincial Museum. From Mr. Boyle’s Fourth
Report (pages 60-62) we take the following descriptions of these
curious relics :—
‘In Fig. 9, we have a cut of one of the most peculiar copper
implements ever found in Ontario, or, so far as I am aware, in America.
It was discovered in an ossuary now within the ‘imits of Midland
driving-park. This unique specimen was presented to us by the
directors of the park, through their secretary, Mr, H. F. Switzer, town
clerk. It is a little over thirteen inches in length, and is nearly three
inches across at the widest part. It is remarkable not for its size
alone, but for its curve and its undulating or round-toothed edge.
No part of the blade is more than one-eighth inch thick, and the tine
is only about three-sixteenths, The teeth are fifteen in number, and
the condition of the specimen is so good as to show clearly how the
making of them has been done. . . . When this blade was deposited
* At page 17 of the Fourth Report, Mr. Boyle thus describes tte bonepit at
this site :—
‘ Just outside of the (Midland) town limits is a beautiful little lake of two or
three hundred acres in extent, the shores of which were a favorite camping-ground
(fur Indians). Near the bighest point of land between the town and the lake is a
driving-park, which has recently been acquired and laid out by the enterprising
citizens. In digging a post-hole for fencing purposes near the south-west corner of the
park, the workmen came upon a small ossuary. None of the skulls or other bones
were in sound enough condition to be preserved, but in the middle and at the
bottom of the pit were found two very fine native copper implements. Both of
these, when placed in the grave, were wrapped in Beaver skin, portions of which
yet adhere to one side of each implement.’
28
with the bones of the deceased “brave” it was carefully wrapped in
Beaver skin, a portion of which is still adherent to one side.}}As no
European traces were discovered about the burial place, it is safe to
say that this implement is at least 260
years old, and may be much more.
Along with the curved knife already
described from Midland, there was
found a very gracefully formed copper
( KYth
ay mi
) \ aN :
axe, and like the knife, having the
original Beaver skin in which it was
rolled up when deposited, still attached
to one side. While eight and three- a
fourth inches long, it is only one and a
a half inches wide at the lip, and barely a quarter of an inch thick.
It is perfectly symmetrical in every line, and has been smoothly
finished.’
Fig .
29
21. MIDLAND POINT.
At lot 22, concession 8, Tay Township, close to the present town
of Midland, when the railway was constructed around the point just
east.of the town (in the year 1872), a quantity of pottery fragments,
pipes, and other relics were found, indicating the former existence
there of an Indian village.
22. MICHAEL CARNEY’S.
Returning to Tiny Township, we next find a village site on north
half lot 111, concession 1, of which the present tenant is Michael
Carney. The usual indications of Huron camps are to be seen, and I
was informed that a bonepit was once found near the site. Its location
was beside an old ‘“ timber road” leading to Penetanguishene. On
enquiring for particulars from John Quigley, one of the men who
were present at the excavation of it, I was informed by him that the
pit was first noticed by Joseph Masters. In the year 1875, Mr.
Masters, in company with Henry Jeffrey, Roland McRoberts, and the
brothers Charles’ and John Quigley, (my informant), dug it out.
They worked by night, using a lai ern, and “found nothing but lime,”
the pit having been “filled with masonry.”
23. CHRISTOPHER GRAHAM'S.
Lannigan’s Lake was a favorite Huron resort; at every side of it
the ashbeds of their camps and villages have been found. Doubtless
it was Lake Contarea of Ducreux’s map, a name that occurs occasion-
ally in the Jesuit Relations.
Approaching this small lake from the northwest, the first site one
reaches is on the south half of lot 9, concession 11, on land owned by
Shristopher Graham. . The village was situated on the southwest end
of a ridge about 30 feet high, immediately north of Mr, Grahams
house, and separated from it by {the 11th concession line, which is
unopened. On this site Mr. Graham has found, in addition to the
usual fragments of pottery and other Indian relics, some articles of
European manufacture, such as iron axes, a padlock, a chain, a knife,
ete., suggesting contact with French traders.
It was evidently because it was an excellent fishing place that
Hurons resorted to this lake in such numbers, as even in the memory
of living persons, it contained mud-cats, sunfish and perch. But it is
now drained, a trench having been cut out from it by the late S. H.
Kerfoot, Mr. Graham’s predecessor on this farm.
30
24. DR. BAWTREES, No. 4.
Several persons gave me information of a bone-pit once found on
the north side of Lannigan’s Lake; but as.I had no guide et the place
and did not see it, I can only mention at second hand the fact of its
existence. It is described as being situated near the north-east end of
the ridge mentioned in our description of the last ‘site, and not more
than a mile from the lake.
It appears to be the same as the fourth pit described »y Dr. Baw-
tree. H.H. Thompson, Esq., of Penetanguishene, when interviewed
by Mr. Osborne and myself, on Sept. 1, 1898, distinctly recollected
this pit, found more than fifty years before. He stated that a party,
including Dr. Bawtree and himself, went from Penetanguishene to see
it. No excavation, however, was made on that occasion, so that at a
later date Dr. Bawtree must have made the examination, the result of
which he describes so minutely in the following terms :—
DR. BAWTREE’S DESCRIPTION.
The fourth * pit to be noticed was opened on the 19th of Dec. (1847) last. It
had been known for some time to a French-Canadian who came upon it acci-
dentally in the bush, and who expressed no curiosity concerning it till his attention
was more immediately drawn to the subject by the recent discoveries of the same
kind.
It is situated on a gentle slope, probably on lot 119, 2nd concession, west of
the Penetaryuishene Road, and in the Township of Tiny, having no peculiar
feature in its locality except a small and highly picturesque lake at a short distance,
and which is surrounded by a cranberry swamp. This, however, can hardly be a
feature worthy of notice as such lakes abound in the neighborhood, and few are
more than two miles distant from others. It is about two miles from the head of
Penetanguishene Bay. ‘The soil in which it is formed is sandy and free from
stones.
The size of this pit is about the same as Nos, 1 and 3, and it is supposed to
have contained about the same number of skeletons as the first of them ; the other
contents were sixteen conch-shells, a stone pipe, a clay pipe, a species of pipe or
ornament of which the size is not exactly known, copper bracelets and ear orna-
ments ; three beads of the red pipe-stone ; copper arrow-heads ; an article which
resembled an old iron ladle ; beads of several kinds, and pieces of fur among which
that of the marten could yet be distinguished.
The shells seemed to be arranged round the bottom of the pit, not in a regular
row, but in threes or fours ; the other things were found mixed with the bones.
The bones were of all sizes, and the skulls uninjured except by time. The conch-
shells were exactly similar to those found elsewhere, and require no further descrip-
tion. The accompanying sketch will sufficiently show the character of the pipes ;
the stone pipe still contained some tobacco which was burned by the finder for the
purpose of analysis.
The stone ornament or pipe may probably be recognized as appertaining to the
‘* Medicine ceremonies”’ still in use among some tribes of Indians ; the stone of
* His descriptions of the first and second have already been quoted ; the third
was in the Township of Oro.
31
which it is formed is common in the neighborhood, and does not appear to be that
usually applied to the formation of pipes. A lizard’s(?) head composes a handle to
the flat circular part which is about three-eighths of an inch thick and an inch and
a quarter broad, bearing on its upper sur ace a cavity which would contain about
the point of the thumb, and to the bottom of which passes a small hole apparently
adapted for the attachment of a pipe stick ; another perforation on the side and
lower edge seems to have been used to suspend it by.
The arrow-heads, as they were supposed to have been, were simple folds of
sheet copper resembling a roughly-formed ferrule to a walking stick. Besides the
** lozenge-shaped beads,” which were found in great numbers, were a few cylin-
drical porcelain beads resembling those from Pit No. 2, as well as two other
varieties ; one of them consisted of cylindrical bodies resembling the porcelain just
noticed, but of a different material ; they averaged three-eighths of an inch in
length and two-eighths broad; had a large central perforation, and appeared to
have been formed of shell, the convolution of which is shown on some of them in a
small oblique grdove. f
The other variety was a small oval bead of glass or porcelain which had prob-
ably been used for ornament, and some pieces of shell of various shapes, also found
there, seemed to have been applied to the same purpose.
It is perhaps worthy of remark that no hair was found in this pit as in two of
the others ; this fact might lead to prove a difference in the date of the formation.
In the neighborhood of (this) Pit No. 4 are several of the swaller (empty) pits,
two ur three of which have been opened, but the winter season prevented their
accurate examination. Pieces of pottery and one or two human bones only were
found in them, mixed with stones and very black earth which seems to strengthen
the supposition previously formed that they are Indian graves from which the bodies
have been removed for interment in the larger pits.
The following is the authority for calling some of the beads found in these pits
by the term “ Wampum,” and Charlevoix’s description of the shells of which
they seem to have been made :—
‘*T have said that the porcelain (wampum) of these countries are made of
shells ; they are found on the shores of New England and Virginia. They are
hollow (Cornelians), elongated and rather pointed.
‘¢ There are two sorts, or to speak more properly, two different colored shells,
one white and the other violet. The first is most common and perhaps on that
account less esteemed. The second appears to possess a finer grain when worked.
The brighter the color, the mere valuable it is considered. They make of both
little cylindrical grains which they pierce and put on a string, and thus it is they
make the ‘ Branches et les Coliers de porcelain.’ ”’
This description of wampum applies to the cylindrical beads found in No, 4
Pit. The large beads, too, which were found in No. 4 Pit are evidently made of
shell as the specimen will show, but it is doubtful whether the circular ones, which
appear to be by far the most common, were made in the same manner. From the
exact roundness and from the edge as well as the surface of many of them being
glazed, it is probable that they were of French manufacture. Wampum is still
worn as an ornament by some of the Indians of Lake Huron, and consist chiefly of
pieces of porcelain tube of various colors.
;
~ rage
32
25. FRANCIS BERRIAULT’S.
The two bone-pits once found on another part of lot 110, conces-
sion 2 (the farm of Francis Berriault, jr.), give a further proof that
Lannigan’s Lake, near to the east end of which these pits were located,
was a favorite resort of the aborigines in early Huron days. One of
these pits was examined about the year 1888 by John Bateson and
Alfred Wasmer of the neighborhood. They found in it, along with the
bones, thre large conch shells (one having a hole drilled through it), a
native eartiienware cup (probably a food cup), some beads and other
small articles. They estimated that the pit had contained a hundred
human skeletons. (This was a very low estimate.)
Guided ‘0 the place by John Bateson, on August 19, 1898, I made
an inspection of this bone-pit. It proved to be not of the largest kind,
but had a diameter of about fifteen feet and was about nine feet deep.
On a low gravel ridge a short distance south-west of the pit and on lot
109, are indications of Indian camps—stones cracked by fire, pottery
fragments, etc. Among these remains ilr, Bateson once found a much
decayed brass kettle, in size resembling a twelve-quart pail. About
twenty-five rods east of the spot where the kettle was found, on the
same ridge, and about forty rods from the bone-pit, there was to be
seen a small empty pit, apparently a “cache.”
26. JOHN BATESON’S.
At a short distance from the last site there is another on lot 108,
concession 2, John Bateson being the owner and occupier of the farm.
At springs of water issuing along the foot ofa steep clitf of boulder
clay (the beach of ancient Lake Algonquin), Mr. Bateson has identified
some camp fires, in the debris of which he found many relics. These
consist of the usual stone axes, pottery fragments, pipes, ete., and with
them were associated some articles of Furopean manufacture—glass
beads, pieces of brass, iron axes, etc. Near the camp fires there is a
large boulder stone which had been used by the Indians for grinding
and rubbing purposes.
27. WILLIAM WAGNERS.
Camp fires are also to be scen on the adjoining farm (William
Wagner, owner), lot 107, concession 2, and many relics have been
picked up from the ash-beds. These camps have a situation similar to
those on the Bateson farm, viz., along the line of the springs issuing
from the hillside.
28. OBADIAH SHAW’S,
The ash-beds of another small village appear on the south half of
lot 9, concession 10 (Obadiah Shaw, owner), south of Lannigan’s Lake
33
Two empty pits or caches were to be seen-here. ‘They had been used
probably for corn or other stores, as no human bones were found in
them.
29. GEORGE BENNETT'S.
On still higher ground on the farm of George Bennett, the north
half of lot 9, concession 9, a considerable tract of ground, strewn with
pottery fragments and other remains of camps, was first noticed in the
autumn of 1886, while workmen were plowing a piece of new ground.
Compared, however, with other sites, this one is not extensive, nor
does it appear to have been occupied for any great length of time.
30. ALEX. SANTIMO'’S.
At a village site on the farm of Alex. Santimo, north-west quarter
of lot 11, concession 10, many relies of French manufacture have been
found. On September Ist, 1898, I inspected this site, and observed
that the camp fires were arranged along a small ravine, showing that
the village had existed without any fortification. A stream, in a
deeper ravine, flows through a field west of the camp fires. While
walking over the ground here I observed iron axes of early French
make, pieces of brass, ete. Mr. Santimo assured me that other French
relics had been found here in abundance, amongst which there was a
pair of small scissors. The camps, following the same small ravine,
extend into the adjoining farm of Andrew Parent, north-east quarter of
the same lot.
In connection with this site an interesting local misunderstanding
appears to have arisen in regard to the existence of bone-pits at it.
The first person to inform me of the site was Oliver Parent, who men-
tioned that a bone-pit had been found twenty feet in diameter ; and
while I was inspecting the camp fires Mr. Santimo showed me three
empty pits which he called “caves,” meaning bone-pits, and assuring
me that many human bones had been found in them; their position
was on the opposite side of the stream from the village and south-
west of it. The three pits were in a row, having diameters of three,
eight and five feet respectively. Very many boulder stones were
lying around them, and were even numerous in the banks on their
edges, an unusual feature in such cases, Fortunately, two days later
I met with Christopher Graham, who had formerly lived on this farm.
He informed me that he had helped to dig these pits for the purpose
of getting limestones more than twenty years before. The central, or
largest one of the three, had been the lime-kiln, in which the stones
had been burned into lime. Thus the mysterious origin of the pits
was settled beyond doubt. This should serve as a warning to future
investigators at this site (or any other) to “ Beware of imitations,”
3H. V.
34
31. DR. BAWTREE’S No. 5.
In our southward progress through the township, we have now
reached the part in which the last of the pits described by Dr Baw-
tree appears to be located; but, thus far, I have not been able to fix
upon its exact position.* He describes it in the following terms :—
DESCRIPTION BY DR. BAWTREE.
Since the above was written, another pit has been examined about eight miles
from Penetanguishene and as far back in the forest, having the same character as
the others, but a little more interest attached to it from the following appearances
in its immediate vicinity.
It is placed on a gentle elevation which has a descent to the south and is level
to the north. In the former direction is Nottawasaga Bay, which is supposed to be
about four miles off; in the latter is the small lake (Lannigan’s) lately noticed, Its
distance from the last pit being perhaps about four miles in a direct line across the
lake. It is probably near the middle of the township of Tiny.
Close by the side of it is another pit, which is not circular, but elongated with
a mound on each side. At the brow of the hill, if it may be so called, and com-
mencing about twenty yards from the pit there is the appearance of a long ditch
extending in the direction of southwest. Another ditch about half the length of
this meets it at right angles on the top of the rising ground and is continued about
four yards beyond the point of junction. A third ditch intersects the short one as
shown in the diagram. The two first of these ditches form two sides of a parallelo-
gram, but there is no sign of an enclosure at the other side where the ground is
low and becomes nearly level. The first ditch is about seventy-five paces in
length, and terminates abruptly at a moderate sized pine tree; the short one is half
that length, and terminates at an old and decayed birch. Their average depth is
about a foot and a half, some parts of them being much deeper than others, though
the whole line is distinctly marked. On the north side of the shorter and upper
ditch several Indian graves were found not placed in any order, but scattered about
at various distances from each other. Three of them were examined and found to
contain human bones; one in particular contained an entire skeleton in perfect
preservation ; found with the bones were some pieces of charcoal, but no weapons
or ornaments of any kind.
The ditch just noticed had the appearance at first of being a succession of three
small pits or graves, particularly near the point of junction of the two where the
depth is greatest. This part was dug into with the idea that human bones would
be found there also, but none could be discovered, nor was there any appearance of
anything having been buried there, and it seemed certain that it had been applied
to some other purpose than ex-graves, though what this may have been seemed
difficult to determine. Had the enclosure appeared complete, it is thought there
would be little doubt of its having been the site of a fortified Indian village. © As it
appears now, it could hardly have been made for protection, as the open sides of
the space are guarded by no natural formation of ground even.
Another conjecture is that a temporary defence has been thrown up theve against
an approaching enemy; the open space may have been filled up with fallen trees, a
mode of defence often adopted by the Hurons while encamped during war,
*The position given to this site on our map is only provisional. It may ulti-
mately prove to be identical with one of those whose positions are known. But for
the present we put it in a separate place.
35
The small pits or graves just noticed had the same appearance as those de-
scribed at first, and the finding of bon , in them seemed satisfactorily to prove the
conjecture then formed of their use to be true. It may be remembered that the
skull of the very perfect skeleton spoken of was found placed upon pieces of bark.
The larger pit was no doubt connected with the funeral ceremony Charlevoix
describes, and from the fact of finding skeletons in the grave it is not unreasonable
to imagine that the neighboring village was hastily deserted or quickly depopulated,
sv that the full form of burial had not been completed with all the dead, It seems
to contain very few relics besides bones ; only one small conch-shell could be found,
and there were no traces of beads or crockery, which together with the decayed
condition of the bones seem to show that this pit is mure ancient thar the others.
The bones were covered with three or four feet of earth, which is more than is
usually found on others, and for the pit a less evident form than the others.
32. PELLETIER’S. ,
Near the head of Dault’s Bay, on the south half of lot 17, conces-
sion 10, the owners of which are George and Philias Pelletier, there is
a site of suine importance as it seems to have been the terminus of a
trail from Midland Harbor to the Nottawasaga Bay, passing Lanni-
gan’s Lake. In 1867, Arthur Crawford made some examination of the
bone-pit here, but it bad been opened before he first saw it.
33. JOSEPH LALONDE'’.
On the farm of Joseph Lalonde, north half lot 15, concession 9,
there is another village site having associated with it a large bone-pit.
A few years ago, A. C. Osborne made some examination of the pit,
which he described as the largest he had ever seen. He was of the
opinion that it was Ossossane ; and the bone-pit, accordingly, the one
of which the origin is described by Brebeuf in his Relation for 1636.
Its distance (of about four leagues, or ten miles) from Thunder Bay,
near which Ihonatiria is assumed by some to be, makes it possible to
hold this view. After the pit had been examined by several persons,
the owner caused it to be filled up with stones, and it has remained in
this condition for a long time. A few rods west of the pit were some
large heaps of ashes from the camp fires.
34. JOHN B. DUBEAU’S.
A village site and bone-pit of considerable dimensions are on
north half lot 14, concession 7, the farm of John B, Dubeau. The pit
appears to have been first noticed in 1869 or earlier, and some further
examivation of it was made in 1883. On August 18, 1898, I inspected
it, having been guided to the place by Napoleon Dubeau, son of the
proprietor. It had a diameter of about twenty feet, and large pine
trees had grown on its edges since it was made. A few bones had
been found in it belonging to persons who must have been of very
36
large stature. Mr. Dubeau pointed out four empty caches close t> the
pit, and there were two or three others now almost obliterated. mn
the ground immediately around the pit were the camp fires, near one
of which he had once found a steel sword, much rusted.
35. ROBERT PARNELL’.
Since the discovery of a bone-pit on lot 16, concession 6, about
the year 1881, it has been regarded by many with special attention as
the probable site of Ossossane. A few brass finger rings were found
in the pit with the bones. In 1887, Rev. Father Laboreau, of Pene-
tanguishene, presented to the Provincial Museum one of these rings
(No. 5,705 in museum catalogue). On its seal are
engraved the letters I. H. S., with a cross standing on
the bar of H. See Mr. Boyle’s Fourth Archeological
Fig. 11 Report, page 66. The late Rev. J. W. Annis exam-
ined tae pit about 1885 and corecluded that the site was Ossossane.
For the purpose of getting some knowledge of the situation of the
pit and its surroundings, I visited the place on August 20, 1898, and
was shown over the site by Robert Parnell, the owner of the farm on
which it is located. The pit is on the north-east quarter of lot 16,
situated at the south-west corner of the quarter-lot. On its edge had
grown an oak tree, but this has been removed and the pit itselt filled
up. The ground over it is now cultivated ; and, in fact, all appear-
ances of the former sepulchre are almost obliterated, except a few
bone fragments here and there on the surface of the soil. From the
slight depression still to be seen, however, and from Mr. Parnell’s des-
cription of it, I ascertained that the pit was not of the largest kind.
But this does not conflict with the Ossossane hypothesis, for in the
Relation for 1636, Brebeuf records a division of the nation that year,
tive villages making a separate Feast, and eight or nine attending this
one (if it be the same as the one he describes). ‘The same writer
relates that fifteen or twenty baptised Hurons were interred with the
pagans in the Ossossane bone-pit, which may account for the finding
of the inscribed finger-rings. Mr. Parnell found one or two iron axes
(French) near it, and a few other remains west of it suggested the
existence of a village site there, but the evidence of such is not very
complete, and it is some distance to the nearest sprin’s of water, which
was an indispensable feature of a village site. The next site, however,
about half a mile distant, might have been that belonging to the pit.
36. MURDOCH McRAE’S.
At the south-west corner of lot 17, concession 6 (Murdoch McRae,
owner), in a five-acre field, from which the forest was cleared about
the year 1887, there is a village site which, from its nearness to the
37
preceding bone-pit, might have been connected with it. But thus far,
no iron relics have been observed at this (McRae) site. Spring streams
rise near it and flow into Grier’s creek, and the Nottawasaga beach is
about a mile and a half distant
37. CRAWFORD'S.
Some of the villages described in this survey were of minor
importance, having only one or two dozen lodges ; others were very
much larger, and had been occupied for a number of years as the
thick deposits of ashes and refuse clearly show. To the latter class
belongs a site on lot 101, concession 2, the farm of Thos. Crawford,
extending into the adjoining farm of his brother, Arthur Crawford,
and covering about five acres altogether, on a hill. This important
village was located at the intersection of the two leading forest trails,
the one from Cedar Point at the extreme north-west corner of the
mainland to the Huron nations of the interior; the other from Mid-
land harbor and Mud Lake to ‘The Beach’ and around the head of
Nottawasaga Bay. It appears to have been first noticed in the year
1886, a despatch dated ‘Midland, June 4, announcing its discovery
having appeared in the Toronto Mail.
As showing some of the means of subsistence of its inhabitants, it
should be noted that numbers of plum trees grew hereabout when
the place was in forest ; and a corn patch, evidently belonging to the
village, was situated just west of it. No bone-pit has been found, but
many interesting relics have been turned up at different times, some
of which were given to the collections of the late =
Rev. J. W. Annis, and of Dr. R. W. Large, Toronto.
Both of these ecllections are now in the Provincial
Museum, but unfortunately are not all labelled as to
‘localit; ‘and as a result the relies found at this site
do not all appear as such. For example, in the Large
collection, the small soap-stone pipe (No. 16,729), and
the pair of small scissors (No. 16,800) came from this
site. (Archeological Report, 1897, pp. 9 and 11).
The Messrs. Crawford have recently sent direct to the
Museum a number of other rare relics found on their
farms. Among the most interesting of these may be
mentioned a stone pipe with human face (much worn), Fig. 12.
and stone discs, probably for games, marked with crosses. An en-
graved bone comb was found wrapped in birch bark,which doubtless ac-
counts for its having been well protected from the weather. Clay pipes of
the ‘ pinch-faced’ type (fig. 16) are numerous here, parts of seven such,
38
and a complete specimen, having been found on Thos, Crawford’s, In
addition to these, there have been found: a finger ring, marked
I. H. S$. Indian corn, carbonized from age, though the grains still
retain their shape ; clay pipes of various sizes and shapes, mostly in
fragments ; iron tomahawks in considerable numbers; glass beads ;
pieces of copper and brass sheets (probably from
kettles) in chinks of from an inch to six inches in
size; numberless fragments of baked pottery, of
ordinary coarse clay; fish scales; several bone tools
and ornaments. In order to obtain exact information
regarding this important site, I made visits here on
August 17, 1887, and on August 18, and September
1, 1898. The identity of this village is doubtful, but
if I may be permitted to guess what was its name in
Jesuit times I should say it was the one frequently
mentioned in the Relations as Andiata.
Fig. 15.
38. JOHN FRAZER'S AND WM. SMITH'S.
Separated from the preceding site by a tract of damp ground,
through which runs a little stream (called Crawford's Creek), is a large
patch of old cornhills, still traceable in the woods at the west end of
lot 101, 1st concession. The patch crosses the entire width of lot 102,
and covers 65 or 70 acres, I first saw this remarkable relic of the
old Hurons on Aug. 17, 1887, having been guided to it by Arthur
Crawford. At that time it was not evident where the village was
situated to which the cornpatch belonged. Bt Mr. Crawford having
recently discovered its position, in company with him I again visited
the place on Sep. Ist, 1898, and saw the usual evidences of another
extensive Huron village. These consisted of heaps of ashes, mixed
39
with fragments of pottery and other relies; one refuse heap had a
length of thirty feet, and a width of sixteen. The village is situated
on a hilltop, or sandy plateau on the top of a spur of the hill, in a good
position for defence. Its position would indicate that it was palisaded.
Springs issue at the foot of the hill in Frazer’s swamp. The line
between lot 102 (John Fraser) and lot 103 (Wm. Smith) crosses the site.
39. HERMAN WRIGHT’S AND GEORGE EDWARDS’.
Another village site, of some importance, is on the farm of Her-
man Wright, lot 98, concession 1, extending into the farm of George
Edwards, lot 97, and cov-
ering a space of about
two acres. The usual
ashbeds, with fragments
of pottery and pipes, etc.,
may be seen; iron toma-
hawks and colored glass
beads have been found,
indicating contact with
early French traders.
The village was situated
beside a stream flowing
into Mud Lake In the flat ground here,
when the forest covered it, there was a
grove of wild plum trees, about ten acres in
extent.
Fig. 16.
40. HERMAN WRIGHT'S.
At the west end of the farm just men-
tioned (lot 98), there is another village site,
where the old eornhills may still be traced.
At this one, also, Mr. Wright, the owner,
has found fragments of Huron pottery and
other relies, besides iron tomahawks, the
mark of European contact. It, too, is int
situated near the same stream (Crawford’s Creek). On the adjoining
farm (lot 99), about the year 1880, there was found a French sword,
evidently lost by some early explorer or trader. Ona part of its
handle was stamped: ‘Anet in aeternum 1619, Erbum domini anno,”
41. LOUIS GUERIN’S.
In the same group of villages is another on lot 98, concession 2,
the farm of Louis Guerin (pronounced “ Yarrow”), The usual relies,
including iron tomahawks, have been found at this site, and a few on
lot 99, the adjoining farm,
40
42, ROBERT EDWARDS.
A small site occurs on the west half of lot 95, concession 1.
Robert Edwards, the owner, has lived here since 1858, and has found,
especially while ploughing, quantities of pottery fragments, pipes and
other relics, including an iron tomahawk. There was a beaver dam
near it on a small stream, and the site may therefore have been used
by hunting or trapping parties.
43. ZECHARIAH CASSELLMAN’S.
Pottery fragments, pipes, stone uxes, etc., indicating another small
village, have been found on lot 93, concession 2, Zechariah Cassellman,
owner. An iron collar and small chain, very much rusted, were once
ploughed up at the site.
44, WM. EDWARDS’.
The most southerly site on the left bank of the Wye, yet brought
to our notice, is on lot 10, concession
&, (Wm. Edwards, owner). About
1886, Thos. Taylor, tenant of this
farm at the time, while clearing new
land, found a remarkable stone pipe,
representing a crouching human
figure. It was procured fr the
museum from A. C. Osborne, and is
pictured and described at page 32
of Mr. Boyle’s Fifth Archeological
Report. The village is located on
dry elevated ground, the soil being
a light sand, but springs rise near
the place and flow into the Wye
River, toward which the land slopes.
I visited this site on Sep. 3, 1898,
and saw evidence of Indian occupa-
tion in the ashbeds and fragments
of pottery, clamshells, and other
remains.
45. JOHN LEONARD'S.
With the foregoing, our notes on sites west of the Wye are
exhausted. But across the river from the last named village, and
removed at a little distance, may be seen traces of another. This is
on the east half of lot 87, concession 1, (John Leonard, owner). The
usual relics have been found, but we may note the finding of some
iron tomahawks, indicating that the place was inhabited after French
traders had entered the Huron country.
Fig. 17.
41
46. GABRIEL FRENCH’S.
A village site, with a bonepit of some importance, occurs in the
2nd concession on the farm of Gabriel French. The bonepit was found
more than twenty years ago. It was on lot 76,in Tiny township; but
the village was on lot 75, in Flos,—just across the townline from the
pit. Gabriel French, sr., stated to me (Aug. 31, 1898) that in the pit
there were bones to the depth of four feet. No relics, except bones,
were found in it. It has since been filled in, and is now cultivated
over.
Many acres of cornhills were in the vicinity, quite visible when
the land was first cleared. A dozen iron tomahawks were found at
the village, besides stone axes, pottery fragments, pipes, etc. It cov-
ered about two acres. This was near the site of St. Michael, the mis-
sion of the Jesuits among the Tohotaenrats; but the exact position of
this mission is probably better represented by the Bowman site about
to be mentioned.
47. WAVERLEY.
A bonepit, situated near Waverley, was examined in 1878 by R.
W. Douglas, subsequently bookseller at 250 Yonge street, Toronto.
Mr. Douglas informed me that the pit was situated just west of Waver-
ley, from which I infer that it might have been identical with Gabriel
French’s; but in the absence of complete identification, I place the two
separately. The position given to “47” on our map must be under-
stood, therefore, as provisional. Mr. Douglas obtained a number of
crania and other human bones. Some of the crania were taken to
Russia for archeological study. Five others and a fragment, besides
a right and a left femur, were presented to the museum of Toronto
University. No. 164 in the University Museum collection is labelled :
“5 pieces of pottery from an ossuary on the Georgian Bay—Douglas.”
48. ARCHIBALD BOWMAN’S.
A site on lot 72, concession 2, Flos, possesses much interest as it
would appear to be that of the mission of St. Michael. In the autumn
of 1895, Archibald Bowman, the owner of the land, found a small bone-
pit containing about 25 skeletons. The most important feature was
the finding, in the pit, of four brass finger rings, engraved with the
letters IHS, thus indicating the burial of that number of baptised
Hurons with the unbaptised. Along with the remains were also found
six French tomahawks and a small copper kettle, very much decayed.
Forty-five shell beads were also found, for particulars of which the
reader is referred to Mr. Boyle’s account in his Report for 1894-5,
age 42.
ies 4H. Y.
42
49. ANGUS MACAULAY’S.
Beside Orr Lake, on lot 68, concession 1, Flos. (Angus Macaulay,
owner), may be seen the remains of another village, situated here
evidently for convenience in fishing and trapping, Several artificial
holes occur here in the surface of the ground. The usual relics have
been found, besides beads (some of European make), iron tomahawks,
pieces of brass kettles, ete. Some of the ashbeds had a depth of
several feet. Two refuse heaps (about 200 feet apart) were conspicu-
ous; they were almost circular, and over them large maple trees had
grown.
(The End.)
prors
ADJ
———
The small square
GIANT'S TOME yy) WX
\V je =
Va f .
a]
See,
.
SE. Faltich \
ae
pacHROLOGICAL jy,
TROWINSHTIP Oh TINY
ADJACENT PARTS
S
Scale of Miles
The small squares, enclosing numbers (referred to in the text), indicate the village sites; the bonepits are shown by dots; the forest trails, by dotted lines,
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11